This morning, Ukrainian authorities issued a nationwide air strike alert in response to a Russian missile attack on Kiev. Ukrainian Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak shared on Telegram that President Vladimir Putin is stepping up operations against the capital. Explosions were heard in the city, as confirmed by Mayor Vitaly Klitschko, who also reported the presence of an enemy drone above the city center.
Russian forces also struck Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions overnight. Kiev media reported severe damage to infrastructure in the city of Zaporizhzhia, while in Beryslav, Kherson, two people were injured in shelling. In response to the Ukrainian attacks, Moscow said it had shot down 29 drones from Ukraine over six different Russian regions, including Kursk and Belgorod, the Tass news agency reported.
The US State Department has confirmed that North Korean troops have begun operating alongside Russian forces on the border with Ukraine. Spokesman Vedant Patel said that more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to eastern Russia, mainly in the Kursk region. This alliance worries the US and its Western allies. Patel expressed concern about the withdrawal of North Korean troops from Russia and warned that soldiers could face lethal consequences if they were deployed to Ukraine. “We are incredibly concerned about this decision by Russia,” Patel said, also highlighting the logistical challenges of integrating North Korean soldiers into the Russian military. The Kremlin has not officially commented on the presence of North Korean troops. However, North Korea recently ratified a defense agreement with Russia, marking a further rapprochement between the two countries.
The growing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea raises questions about the future of the conflict in Ukraine. With increasing Russian attacks and the new dynamic of North Korean support, the situation could become even more complex. Developments in the coming days could significantly influence the course of the war and the strategies adopted by Ukrainian forces and their international allies.
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